Modern Blackjack nth Edition

In Blackjack, we know that there are many card counting strategies, and that the more complex strategies provide better performance. But, we also know that this comes at a price. You are more likely to tire using a more complex count, and you may make additional errors — and, these errors may negate any improved performance. But, how does the complex counting strategy’s performance compare to the decrease in performance due to errors? Obviously, it depends on the error rate.

I ran 24 one billion round Blackjack simulations. All are six-deck, S17, DAS, 80% penetration, spread 1-15. We are comparing HiLo using 16 indexes, HiLo using a huge number of indexes and Advanced Omega II with full indexes and an ace side count. We are looking at the SCOREs given playing error rates of 0% through 14%.

Looking at the chart below, with a 14% error rate, we essentially have no advantage. We can see that the error rate very quickly wipes out any advantage. Which is to say, if you decide to go with a more complex Blackjack card counting strategy, you had better do it correctly.

And for single-deck, H17, nDAS, three players, three rounds, third base: